Valve train and method for reducing oil flow to deactivated engine valves

A valve train for an internal combustion engine, the valve train comprising;

• a cam having a base circle and a lobe extending from the base circle;
• a cam follower engaging the cam for reciprocation in a guide;
• and
• a rocker arm operably engaged by the cam follower at a pivotable connection operative to pivot the rocker arm for opening and closing a valve;
• the pivotable connection including lubrication passages which are aligned for lubricant flow from the cam follower to the rocker arm when the rocker arm is pivoted in a valve opening direction, the passages being at least partially misaligned when the rocker arm is in a valve closed position for limiting lubricant flow to the rocker arm when the valve is closed;
• the cam follower being a switching hydraulic valve lifter capable of being deactivated so that the valve remains closed during engine operation and oil flow to the rocker arm in the valve closed position is at least substantially reduced.